Vanier van a community success story

In an era of increasing costs it can definitely take a village to help our youth participate in extra-curricular activities.

In an effort to decrease the ever-growing transportation costs, several local businesses and the GP Vanier Alumni Association are in their fourth year of sponsoring a 15-passenger van used by numerous GP Vanier student groups.

“The van has saved our students and their families approximately $10,000-$12,000 a year in transportation costs,” said GP Vanier vice-principal Brian McAskill. “It has allowed many of our students to participate in extra-curricular activities that might not have been able to under full costs.”

McAskill pointed to the financial support of local businesses and the on-going generosity of the Brian McLean’s dealership as major reasons leading to the success of the GP Vanier Van.

“The local businesses and the GP Vanier Alumni Association have supported the van from its beginning,” said McAskill. “The van requires payments, maintenance and upgrades as it is used extensively throughout the school year.”

The GP Vanier Alumni Association was the brainchild of Murray McRae (a vice-principal at GP Vanier at the time and current Glacier View Learning Centre principal) and Susan and John Stoyles (both Vanier grads) following the 40th anniversary of GP Vanier Secondary in 2008.

“The GP Vanier Alumni Association has a mission to aid past, current and future GP Vanier students and their families,” stated McAskill.